Response: Due Diligence on Hanoi's Nominee for the

UNCLAS HANOI 000767

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS AND EEB/EPPD NSMITH-NISSLEY
USDOC FOR 4431/MAC/AP/OPB/VLC/HPPHO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON AMGT BEXP ECON ELAB ETRD KSEP SENV VM

SUBJECT: Response: Due Diligence on Hanoi's Nominee for the
Secretary of State's 2009 Award for Corporate Excellence

REF: STATE 078538 " Request: Due Diligence on Nominees for the
Secretary of State's 2009 Award for Corporate Excellence"


1. (SBU) Mission Vietnam is pleased to provide the additional
information about Protec Helmet Company, nominee in the SME
category, in response to REF:

A) Post found no negative aspects or risk of U.S. embarrassment
that could result from the potential selection of Protec, Post's
nominee.

B) There is no impact concerning job creation in the United States
resulting from the operations of Protec.

C) Protec's trade and investment activities do not have a
significant impact on economic growth in the U.S. The synthetic
materials for its helmets may originate in the U.S., but are sourced
through regional vendors. The technical advisor based in San Diego
provided the original designs for the helmets.

D) Protec provides excellent labor conditions and benefits for its
employees. The company has won awards from the GVN for its safe and
healthy workplace. Protec also actively recruits, hires, and trains
disabled and wheelchair-bound employees to work in its helmet
production facility, modified for wheelchair accessibility, and
provides its disabled workers with high-quality wheelchairs for use
in the factory and at home. All Protec employees benefit from free
meals, seven-hour workdays and health benefits. Protec's workers
are unionized as required under Vietnam law.

E) Post is not aware of any litigation pending in local courts
involving the company.

F) Post's Chief of Mission and others involved in the nominating
process do not have any financial interest in the company.

MICHALAK